In this 2011 photo visitors look at the lights at 226 Roseville Terrace in Fairfield, Conn. The Connecticut family could be forced to turn off its intricate Christmas display decorated with 300,000 lights because of complaints from neighbors about traffic and parking. The Halliwells have been putting up the display for 18 years. (Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP)

In this 2011 photo, visitors look at the lights at 226 Roseville Terrace in Fairfield, Conn. The Connecticut family could be forced to turn off its intricate Christmas display decorated with 300,000 lights because of complaints from neighbors about traffic and parking. The Halliwells have been putting up the display for 18 years. (Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP)

In this 2011 photo, visitors look at the lights at 226 Roseville Terrace in Fairfield, Conn. The Connecticut family could be forced to turn off its intricate Christmas display decorated with 300,000 lights because of complaints from neighbors about traffic and parking. The Halliwells have been putting up the display for 18 years. (Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP)

In this 2014 photo visitors look at the lights at 226 Roseville Terrace in Fairfield, Conn. The Connecticut family could be forced to turn off its intricate Christmas display decorated with 300,000 lights because of complaints from neighbors about traffic and parking. The Halliwells have been putting up the display for 18 years. (Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP)

In this 2014 photo Quinlan Anderson, 4, looks at Christmas angels at 226 Roseville Terrace in Fairfield, Conn. The Connecticut family could be forced to turn off its intricate Christmas display decorated with 300,000 lights because of complaints from neighbors about traffic and parking. The Halliwells have been putting up the display for 18 years. (Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP)

Family says huge Christmas display may end after complaints

Family says huge Christmas display may end after complaints

Nov. 28, 2017

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) — A family could be forced to turn off its intricate Christmas display decorated with 300,000 lights because of complaints from neighbors about traffic and parking.

The Connecticut Post reports the Halliwell family's huge decorative display in Fairfield drew about 30,000 visitors last holiday season, not counting those who drove by without stopping. The Halliwells have been putting up the display for 18 years.

This year, police plan to make some roads one way and establish temporary parking restrictions while the display is up, preventing some residents from parking outside their homes.

Neighbor Nadine Losquadro submitted a petition with 45 signatures to town officials and police asking them to come up with an alternative plan.

"We did not move into our homes knowing there would be, or could be, parking restrictions imposed on us for six weeks out of every year during prime holiday time," she said.

She also said the heavy traffic could be a safety issue, making it difficult for ambulances or firetrucks to navigate during an emergency.

The Halliwells said nobody has gone to them directly with complaints. They said they hope to find a solution to address their neighbors' concerns but fear there is no way to make everyone happy.

"We're trying to figure out what to do," Maryann Halliwell said. "It's probably our last year. It's a real shame."

Her father, Gene Halliwell, said ending the display could be bad for nearby businesses.

"People come here and have dinner and then go see the lights," he said.

He said ending the elaborate display also would mean an end to visitor donations, which benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Springfield, Massachusetts.